History

Chess arrived in Europe in the 10th century, but it wasn't until the 15th century that it gained success and popularity. It was considered a prestigious game, played only by the nobility, and was later brought to the Americas. It began to be called the “game of kings” because it was a strategy game where only great prodigies or noble-born individuals, who had access to a proper education, could master the rules.

In the 18th century, the first chess clubs were established, and the first international chess tournament in history was played in 1886 in London, where Austrian player Wilhelm Steinitz was crowned as the first world champion.

The term "chess" comes from the Arabic word ash-shatranj, which in turn originates from Persian. When it was introduced into Spanish, it was initially called acedrex, then changed to axedrez, until it finally became ajedrez, as we know it today.

The exact origin of chess is unknown, but it was most likely invented in Asia by an ancient civilization. There are several early variations of chess in Asia, such as chaturanga in India, xiangqi in China, shogi in Japan, and janggi in Korea. From there, the game spread to the Muslims, who then introduced it to Africa and the West.

Today, there are many chess programs with algorithms that can instantly identify the best moves, such as Stockfish. Players can even compete directly against a computer, without the need for a real opponent.

Chess has evolved significantly over the centuries, and with the continuous advancement of technology, it is clear that it will only continue to develop and improve.

By 1924, chess had gained so much worldwide recognition that an official chess organization was founded. It was called the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), or the International Chess Federation, as it was established in Paris, France. From that point on, chess has continued to grow in popularity, attracting players from all around the world.

With the introduction of technology, the first automated chess games were developed, controlled by computers. Later, online play became available, allowing users to compete against both real opponents and computers.

The most famous chess machine was The Turk, invented by Wolfgang von Kempelen in 1770. It was a machine measuring 1.10 x 0.60 x 0.75 meters, with a 50 cm² chessboard. It appeared as a table with a chessboard, featuring a mannequin dressed in a robe and turban seated behind it. The mannequin had a robotic arm that could make impressive moves, and the machine had side doors that opened to reveal a complex set of gears. It rarely lost and even defeated Napoleon Bonaparte.

However, the secret was eventually exposed. Inside The Turk was a short professional chess player who controlled the robotic arm and tracked the pieces' movements using a system of magnets. The external gears were nothing more than a distraction. Unfortunately, The Turk was destroyed in a fire on July 5th, 1854.

Another remarkable technological creation was El Ajedrecista (The Chess Player), built in 1912 by Leonardo Torres Quevedo, one of the most brilliant Spanish inventors of his time. It was a machine capable of making decisions based on the board position using an algorithm. It could even detect illegal moves. Additionally, its mechanical operation was an impressive achievement.

The Turk

El Ajedrecista

Wilhelm Steinitz

Chaturanga

What is it?

Players

Benefits